Just Right Reading
Kids need to read books that they can both decode (read the words) and comprehend (understand the meaning). Teachers call this a “just right” book, or a book that is at the child’s instructional level. A just right book at a child’s instructional level is a book that stretches the child just a bit, not so much as to make him frustrated but enough to continue his growth as a reader. This child would make an error on about one word out of twenty. How can you tell if a book your child wants to read is at her instructional level? You can help your child do the "Five Finger Test" to figure out if the book is just right. 

The Five Finger Test

1. When your child finds a book he wants to read, have him flip to a page in the middle of the book. (One with the same amount of text as the other pages.)
2. Ask your child to read the page — out loud so you can help.
3. From a closed fist, hold up a finger each time your child misses a word. She can do this on her own eventually.
4. No fingers means that the book is an independent level — it’s easy for her to read and perfectly fine for part of her reading diet. One to five fingers means the book is at an instructional level — BINGO! — just right for her to grow as a reader. Six or more fingers means the book is at a challenge or frustration level and not recommended because the child won’t be able to comprehend the text.

Science News

Water is a unique earth material, the only material on Earth that occurs naturally in all three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Your child will learn these interesting things and more as we investigate water, its properties, and what it can do in the FOSS Water and Climate Module. One of the goals of this module is to help students focus their observation skills on water—to begin seeing water in a new light. Through their investigations into the properties of water (how it reacts to heating and cooling and the processes of evaporation and condensation), students will begin to appreciate how important this unique material is. We will also use tools and the Internet to monitor weather conditions in our local area and compare forecasts to actual measurements. We will be introduced to climate and how climate regions are determined around North America and the world. You can help your child focus on the properties of water and its uses in several ways. Use the Internet to find the source of your local water. Take a trip to the public library and check out books about water, water conservation, and recycling. Plan a visit to a garden shop and find out more about irrigation systems and water drainage in different kinds of soil. Visit a dam, reservoir, lake, or stream to observe the flow and interactions of water with the earth. Consider ways to conserve water in your home and community. Take a walk around the block after a rainstorm, looking for evidence of precipitation, condensation, evaporation, and flowing water. Follow weather conditions in the broadcasts and in newspapers and discuss them with your child. I will be sending home assignments called Home/School Connections. Please try to complete them with your child that evening and send them back to school the next day. You can get more information on this module by going to www.FOSSweb.com. We’re looking forward to weeks of exciting investigations in the world of water and climate!

 

I’m excited to share that our class is using Zearn Math.  Zearn Math is a top-rated math curriculum that personalizes learning for each student. With Zearn Math, your child will learn and practice math concepts in two ways – Small Group Instruction with the teacher and Independent Digital Lessons. By learning in these two rotations everyday, every student in our classroom will deeply learn the big ideas of math for our grade. 
• While working through Independent Digital Lessons, your child will learn and practice new concepts at his/her own pace. Independent Digital Lessons include fun warm-ups to build math foundations, interactive videos to learn new concepts, paper and pencil work to transfer learning, and lots of supportive, precise, and personalized feedback. 
• During Small Group Instruction with me, each student discusses their reasoning aloud, works with concrete objects to demonstrate their thinking, and receives feedback on their understanding. Teaching in a smaller group allows me to do an even a better job meeting the specific needs of your child. I encourage you to explore Zearn Math with your child to learn more. 
Here are some questions to ask your child to support their learning with Zearn Math!
 • What did you discuss with your teacher and friends in math small group time?
 • What concrete materials did you get to learn with in Small Group today?
 • What are your favorite parts of a Digital Lesson?  
 • When you get a challenging problem, how do you work through it? 
 • How many Digital Lesson badges have you earned? Welcome to the new  year!